Fort Worth Police Union Endorses GOP Candidates

The police association backed nearly 40 Republican candidates ahead of the upcoming November 3 midterm election.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Fort Worth Police Union Endorses GOP Candidates

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The Fort Worth Police Officers Association has formally endorsed a slate of Republican candidates for local and statewide offices. This move includes support for major figures such as Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

Why it matters

The decision has drawn sharp public criticism from city leadership regarding the partisan nature of the police union's political activities. It highlights ongoing tensions over the role of law enforcement groups in influencing electoral outcomes.

The union represents over 1,700 officers and announced its backing for candidates including Ken Paxton, Mayes Middleton, and Tim O'Hare across 40 different races. The organization notably opted not to make endorsements in several local contests.

The players

Fort Worth Police Officers Association

This labor organization represents over 1,700 police officers serving the Fort Worth community.

Chris Nettles

He is a member of the Fort Worth City Council representing District 8 who publicly opposed the union's recent political endorsements.

Greg Abbott

He is the Governor of Texas and one of the Republican candidates endorsed by the police union.

Dan Patrick

He is the Lieutenant Governor of Texas and a recipient of the police union's endorsement.

Ken Paxton

He is the Attorney General of Texas and was included in the union's list of endorsed candidates.

The details

The Fort Worth Police Officers Association announced its support for the Republican ticket via a social media post. City Council member Chris Nettles, representing District 8, subsequently shared public criticism of the union's partisan endorsements on his Facebook page.

October 20, 2026: Chris Nettles criticized the POA endorsements on Facebook.
November 3, 2026: The scheduled date of the midterm election.

Legal Context

The union's activity complies with the Texas Election Code while sparking local debate over political engagement. These endorsements reflect a broader trend of police labor organizations increasingly formalizing their presence in state and local electoral politics.

The involvement of the police union in local races may influence voter perception regarding the alignment of law enforcement with specific political platforms. Residents in Fort Worth can expect continued debate on how such institutional endorsements affect city council relations and police oversight.

The takeaway

The recent endorsements highlight the intersection of labor union influence and electoral politics in Texas. Voters should remain informed about which interest groups are supporting candidates as they finalize their decisions for the upcoming midterm elections.